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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

While Waiting for the Next Hunt

Cap locked down on quail.

I had a little time before the next hunt (Idaho in January) so I entered my pups in a few trials around the area. I've been running NSTRA trials since 1992 when I entered my first Brittany, Rocket, in a trial up in the hills of north Georgia. I've had some success over the years, and a few dogs that were less than successful. However, I did learn the game and I do enjoy spending the day with like-minded people, talking dogs and hunting and trialing. I decided to enter my two Brittany pups, Cap (B/M) and Ruby (B/F) and just see what they could do. The first trial was in Alabama and they both did OK, for first time dogs. At least, they weren't "placed upon" and they did find their fair share of birds. There was a lot of learning and laughs on the field, for me at least, as I watched them dart around and try their very best to do what the big boys were doing. (They run "amateur" dogs at these trials, too, but I figure my pups should be able to hold their own and take their lumps. So, I entered them in the Open class.) The next trial was down in Pavo, GA and, once again, they did OK. They did draw some notice from the gallery for their hunt and they way they worked with and for me. No placements, but for young, new dogs, they did very well.

Last weekend, I entered them in a trial up in north GA, Ball Ground, GA. On Saturday, they both took the fields like pros! I was very pleased with their handing and finds and backs. Their ground coverage was excellent and I sensed it was just a matter of time before the breakthrough came. Saturday afternoon, Cap (shown above) had a pretty decent run and took a third place- qualifying for the Region Championships in March. It was quite a coup for him- he's not even two yet and was running like a much more mature dog. Sunday was another story altogether. Cap was awesome! He ended up with a very strong first place and looked polished and strong doing it. Ruby, on another field, racked up another first place, also. Oddly, her score was matched exactly by another dog. So we chose to have a coin toss to determine the winner- I lost. It doesn't take anything away from Ruby, at all. She did her part and tied for first place.

Overall, we took a First, Second, and Third for the weekend- 3 out of the possible 12 placements went to my little pups! I guess they'll make bird dogs.

Bird Dogs and Bird Hunting

After more than 20 years of bird dogs and bird hunting, I was able to free myself of the day to day "making a living" that is the curse of all those men and women to whom bird dogs and bird hunting is a way of life. Traveling around the country, from September to March, I indulge my passion for bird dogs and bird hunting with my Brittany bird dogs. Recently, I added to the pack by keeping 2 pups from the last litter of 11 that Ace and Ruby had. While having 4 dogs and traveling the country can be problematic, I've noticed I don't need to worry as much about "running out of dogs" before the trip is complete. With a little prevention, care and planning, I can rest dogs 1 day in 3 and still have 2 on the ground in the morning and 2 more in the afternoon. In the event a dog is laid up (cut pad, intestinal distress) another dog can step up. Bird dogs and bird hunting will make you a tremendous manpower (dog power) planner!

Another beneficial side effect is the planning of actual trips and times of the year. As an example, September is my traditional Montana Sharptail and Hungarian Partridge month. Great birds for the pups, they hold tight and live in easy country, It's a good way to get the dogs back in to "hunting" mode. October is Pheasant and Ruffed Grouse month. Usually the Dakotas and either Wisconsin or Minnesota will get a visit from the Brittany pack. In November, my bird dogs and bird hunting show will visit quail states like Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, Texas and Arizona. December will be the Mearns Quail deployment to mountains of Southern Arizona followed by Gambles Quail in Arizona and Blue Quail in New Mexico. January is a toss up and for the last several years has been Nebraska for pheasant, Oklahoma for Bob Whites, Arizona for Gambels and New Mexico for Blues (again). However, I've been known to head to Idaho for Valley Quail and Chukar.

In February, in order to instill some discipline and keep the boys and girls in top form, I start hitting the NSTRA Field Trials real hard, with an eye to the National Trials in February, April and May.

While I know this schedule with my bird dogs and bird hunting looks to be excessive, I look at it like a cup of water with small leak. I'm not getting any younger and the water in the cup is the time I have left. Thank God, I'm in excellent health (no thanks to my younger years) and still have the drive to chase the Chukar and Huns, but time will advance none-the-less and before too long, I will be remembering and wishing instead loading up the Beast of Birdin' with dog boxes and shotgun shells.

This BLOG is a way for me to document my fun with bird dogs and bird hunting. I can also look at products and test them on the road, under actual hunting conditions. I enjoy doing that and I've found some real gems in equipment and techniques.